Cabinet decision to issue 2,000 firearms to CDF will not be implemented

The Minister of Wildlife has given an undertaking to the Court of Appeal that 2,000 firearms will not be issued to the personnel of the Civil Defence Force (CDF) living in areas rife with Human Elephant Conflicts.

Litro Gas price to increase from tonight

The price of a 12 kg domestic gas cylinder would be increased to Rs. 4,610 from midnight today, Litro Chairman Muditha Pieris said.

COPA asks CID to probe Rs. 16 Bn tax revenue loss due to sugar scam

Highlighting that the government continues to suffer losses to the tune of Rs.16 billion annually, the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) today requested CID to expedite the investigation on the loss of Rs.16 billion as tax revenue as a result of sugar scam.

Police protection for Shani Abeysekara

The Attorney General today informed Court of Appeal that police protection will be provided to former CID Director Shani Abeysekara, taking into account the existing security threats.

Mechanism to release aging and terminally ill prisoners: Minister

A mechanism would be introduced to release prisoners with terminal illnesses, aging inmates and those with serious illnesses after obtaining the President’s approval, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today.

No discussion on splitting CEB into eight: Susil

Refuting claims that the CEB would be divided into eight seperate entities, Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said no discussion has taken place on such a matter within the government.

Hospitals minor staff resort to stealing from patients to buy drugs: GMOF

According to the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF), 5% to 10% of hospital minor staff employees are involved in drug businesses, and most of them are addicted to drugs.

Gold worth Rs. 80mn stolen from Hulftsdorp court

The Keselwatta Police has launched an investigation after several pieces of gold weighing around 49 pounds worth Rs. 80 million was stolen from the case production room at the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court.

New constitution to be drafted for Sri Lanka Cricket: Sports Minister

The Minister of Sports through the Attorney General today informed Court of Appeal that an Independent Panel of Governance Experts will be appointed in order to draft a new Constitution for the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Commitee report to be presented to Parliament soon: Susil

Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha today assured that the report of the committee appointed to look into the riots that took place on May 9, 2022 will be presented to Parliament soon after speaking to President Ranil Wickremesinghe with regard to the matter.

Ice, and narcotic pills found at school canteen in Gampaha; Woman arrested

A 42-year-old woman had been arrested with seven packets containing Ice and 38 pills of narcotic substance at a canteen at a school in Malwathuhiripitiya in Gampaha this morning, the Police said.

Maithri denies lavish spending for personal staff

Former President Maithripala Sirisena today denied reports which said he had used 53 percent of the funds allocated for the President’s expenditure on his personal staff but he had instead spent it for large scale national level projects.

Major fire reported in Kelaniya

A major fire has broken out at a factory in Kelaniya this morning, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Fire Service Department said.

Power Minister suggests massive hike in electricity rates

The CEB had estimated that a single unit of electricity would cost Rs 56.90 if the country were to have an uninterrupted power supply in 2023, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

LG polls date announcement before Jan. 9 - Polls chief

The Chairman of the Election Commission (EC) S.G.Punchihewa said yesterday that he has received the opinion of the Attorney General (AG) on conducting of the Local Government (LG) polls and as such he would issue the relevant gazette notification before January 9.

Construction sector tells government to settle dues issuing treasury bills

The country’s construction sector has recommended to the government to issue them with treasury bills in lieu of their dues if no cash is available. The government....

We should recall all Lankan human resources scattered around the world to face 4th industrial revolution: Minister

’’We should call back Sri Lankan human resources, armed with knowledge and that are scattered around the world and build the country by bridging the vast gap by pursuing the fourth industrial revolution, which we are missing,’’ said Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

State revenue gets boost from inflation and tax hikes

State revenues received a tailwind from the recently introduced tax hikes and inflation that climbed to 70 percent levels helping the government to control the unrestrained budget deficit, which has been....

Credit card balance slips in October reflecting prevailing tight credit conditions 

Outstanding credit card balance has dipped by a little in October in a dual sign that banks may be tightening their credit card standards while consumers are also pulling back on their spending without....

98 Acres Resort & Spa named as most Luxurious Mountain Resort in Asia

98 Acres Resort & Spa, a subsidiary of U.H.E. Group, was recently awarded as the Number 1 Luxury Mountain Resort in Asia, at the recently held 16th World Luxury Hotel Awards (2022) in Antalya....

First 11 months tourism income surpasses US$ 1,100mn

As Sri Lanka is currently witnessing a long awaited revival in its thrice-battered tourism industry, the country saw the earnings from the trade surpassing US$ 100 million in November after languishing for months since the economy collapsed early this year sparking country wide protests which caused political and social mayhem.

Gazette declaring public services essential further extended

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued considering the necessity of the services provided by any Public Corporation or Government as essential public services.

Lankan charged after mother-of-three stabbed to death in Melbourne

A Sri Lankan has been charged for stabbing his wife, a mother-of-three, to death in her home at Sandhurst in Melbourne’s south-east.

Sri Pada season begins on Wednesday

The annual Sri Pada Pilgrimage season 2022/23 will begin on the Unduwap full moon Poya day on Wednesday (7) and last till Wesak full moon Poya day in May 2023.

Doctor found dead at her residence in Kadugannawa

The body of a woman, a doctor attached to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital was found hanging at her house at Kadugannawa today.

Eggs could go up to Rs.80; Vet. Assn. warns

Government Veterinary Surgeons Association warned that the price of eggs could increase above Rs.80 during the festive season.

SL origin family of Texas seeks answers after police kill man on his own porch

AUSTIN, Texas — The family of an Austin, Texas, man is seeking answers after he was fatally shot by police last month on his front porch following a late-night emergency call by a neighbor.

Indonesia’s Semeru volcano erupts prompting tsunami fears

Indonesia’s Semeru volcano on Java island erupted early on Sunday, spewing a column of ash 1.5km into the air and prompting evacuations of residents from the eruption area.

Paris Club proposes 10-year moratorium on Sri Lanka’s debt: Report

The Paris Club creditor states, which place equal burdens on the wealthy global north and the emerging global south, are proposing a ten-year moratorium on Sri Lanka’s debt and another 15 years of debt restructuring as a formula to resolve the island nation’s current financial crisis.

Expatriates’ remittances see no changes: CBSL

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said speculations mislead that expatriates’ remittances to Sri Lanka are taxed and forcibly converted into Sri Lankan currency is completely false.